The Billionaire Next Door(44)

She lowered the receiver from her mouth. “My car does this sometimes. Just refuses to wake up.”



“And you’re late?”



“I wanted to get in early for my last day today. Boy, that starter motor has always had perfect timing. Perfectly bad timing.”



“Can I drive you somewhere?”



“No, thanks. I’m on with the cab—” She cleared her throat and spoke into the phone. “Hi, I’d like a pickup at…”



As she talked with the taxi company, Sean stared at her, thinking he was the one who should drive her to work.



“I’m sorry, how long?” she said. “Forty -five minutes?”



“Let me take you,” he cut in.



“I…ah—”



“Lizzie, I’ll take you wherever you need to go. Let me do it.”



Her eyes shifted to him. There was a pause. Then she said into the receiver, “Sorry, yes, I’m still here. But…ah, I don’t need the cab. Thank you.” She hung up. “You look like you’re about to leave, though.”



“I am. Right after I take you to work.”



“I’m going to Roxbury.”



“Then so am I.”



“Okay…thank you. I just need to call the garage.” She was quick and to the point with the mechanics, and after she hung up, she grabbed her purse and keys. “They’re going to send a tow for it. They’re used to me.”



Damn it, he hated that her ride was unreliable. But as he followed her outside, he kept his yap shut. It wasn’t as if she needed to hear that right now because she was no doubt thinking the same thing.



Without saying a word, they both paused on the shallow porch. The sun was a golden yellow, the sky a brilliant robin’s-egg-blue, the trees as green as emeralds. It was as if the world had been colored by children’s crayons.



“Beautiful day,” he said.



“Yes.” She looked around. “Like a cartoon almost. Reminds you of when you were young, doesn’t it? So simple and clear and beautiful.” She made an awkward sound. “Guess that’s silly.”



“Actually, it was just what I was thinking.”



Her eyes shifted over, and for a split second, the connection was there between them again, as invisible as the air that separated them, but as warm and real as the sunshine on their faces.



“Lizzie,” he breathed.



“We…better go.” Except she didn’t look away. And neither did he.



Sean leaned down and put his lips on hers. There was so much he wanted to say, but he kept it simple and clear as the day. “I’m glad I’m taking you to work.”



He took her hand and they walked to the rental in silence. After he opened her door for her, he waited until she was settled, then went around to the driver’s side.



As they headed off for Roxbury, she said, “I wanted to let you to know I’m moving out.”



Sean’s hands cranked down hard on the wheel and he had to force them to relax. “You don’t have to.”



“I want to leave.”



“Why?” Even though he knew.



“Too many memories.” Then she quickly added, “Besides, if I end up working downtown during the day, it would be better if I lived closer to a T-stop.”#p#分页标题#e#



He frowned. “How is the job search going?”



“It’s going. Just started, really.”



He glanced across the seat. Her eyes were trained out the side window, but they were unfocused, as if she were reviewing her situation in her head.



Sean thought about her mother. Her broken-down car. The fact that she was working nights in a rough part of town.



“Listen, you can forget about the rent,” he said. “I mean, until I sell the place.”



She looked at him in surprise then shook her head. “Oh, no. That’s okay. I’ll be fine, but thanks.”



Man…First time he could remember a woman turning him down for money. But then Lizzie wasn’t fitting the pattern in any manner, was she?



“Well, the offer stands,” he said. God, he was a bastard to have ever doubted her for a moment. No way she’d been after his father for cash. No. Way.



After hitting all the red lights in Boston and getting slowed up by some sewer work, they eventually made it to Roxbury.



“It’s on the next block.” Lizzie pointed out the windshield. “Right here.”



The community health center was set up in a two-story building constructed of concrete bricks and marked with windows that had chicken wire in the glass. But it wasn’t dour. There were flowers in pots in front of the door and a lovely maple on the front lawn. And everything was neat as a pin: the grass between the sidewalk and the foundation was trimmed, and the juniper bushes were clipped nice and tight and the entryway was swept clean. Sun glinted off the front doors and made the brass sign that read Roxbury Community Health Initiative glow.